Changes to Avion Redemption Schedule May 1, 2009
 

I have a RBC Avion Infinite Visa and just got this message with my statement this month: "All RBC Royal Bank Visa Platinum Avion, Platinum Business Avion and Infinite Avion cardholders: Starting May 1, 2009, the number of RBC Rewards points required to redeem for a long-haul round trip flight in economy class anywhere in Canada or the US (except Hawaii and Alaska) will change from 30k to 35k points."

I've always felt that Avion was the best card but I'm not too happy with the change. Looking for thoughts that can help me decide whether to keep or use all my points by May 1 and dump it. Thanks all!

I was thinking of converting mine to BA miles next time the 1.5x promotion is on. As far as I can tell, using your Avion points is a better deal for domestic travel but anywhere outside of NA seems cheaper if you convert to BA (at 1.5x).

Technically, even North American flights can be better through BA, assuming AA's flights to where you want to go are convenient. The main reason is no fuel surcharge, which you would have to pay out of pocket when redeeming Avion points. The other advantage is the availability of business class seats. The con is working around award availability.

Case in point:

AA from YYZ-MIA going 10/Apr returning 13/Apr in business. 2 adults + 1 infant - just booked it for BA 105K miles (=70K Avion points under 1.5x promo) + ~C$100 in taxes.

Had award seats been available in economy (which they aren't for these dates, but KVS could help you figure out when), it would have been:

- 52.5K miles (=35K Avion points under 1.5x promo) + same ~C$100 in taxes, versus
- 60K Avion points (for C$668 base fare each) +~C$250 in taxes & surcharge(s) (plus some small amount of taxes for the infant, which AA.com does not show).

Note under the new schedule, the latter would have been 70K Avion points.

Note that BA does charge fuel surcharges when redeeming BA miles on BA and other oneworld airlines, so keep that in mind when comparing. However, I believe BA miles redemption still come out on top compared to Avion points redemption, except for (again) having to work around award availability.

Thanks for a very useful example. I had heard some cases where BA availability was almost non-existent but have yet to check for myself.
Does the 1.5x promo run twice a year? Does that mean the next time will be around May/June?

If you'd like some hypothetical data, send me some dates and I will check in KVS.

I'm not sure how often the 1.5x promo runs - perhaps someone else can shed some light?

One more point of comparison. The redemption value of an Avion point in the second example is 1.11 cents (i.e 1.11% of purchase, not much better than a straight 1% cash-back card, especially considering the hoops needed to be jumped through). In the first example, however, the redemption value of an Avion point is 2.34 cents (i.e. 2.34% of purchase).

Does Avion consider YYZ - BOS a short-haul flight?

Since Ontario and Massachusetts do not share a border, my guess is no.

So even though Aeroplan would consider YYZ-BOS a short-haul flight, and since Avion seems to have modeled their plan after AP, and even if I'm looking at a YYZ-BOS itinerary that would come in at under $350, with all of that, Avion would still consider that a long-haul flight and would take 30k miles???

What's the logic in taking 30k miles (or, after May 1, 35k miles) even if the flight costs less then $350?

Why base the miles-needed on the geography of the itinerary? What sense does that make? If they're going to set a redemption strategy based on a price cut-off (under $350 vs under $750) then why does the geography factor into it?

Avion tries to market their program as the "no-nonsense" alternative to FF program, but it's got it's own nuances.

EDIT: And that is one of the reasons I'm waiting for the next 1.5x BA promo, transferring all my miles, and cancelling both my personal and business Avion cards.

It's most efficient if you use your Aeroplan miles for the "non-ajacent" short-haul flights (or BA if you can do it)... The good news is you earn aeroplan miles on your avion flights so that helps :)

Does anyone know if RBC reimburses you partial annual fee if you cancel in the middle of the year? And what about sign-up/renewal bonus points?